Packaging machine



March 18, 1941. BELHER 2,234,951

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 21, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Inverfl'or': Daniel Belcher:

SGM -{WM D. BELCHER 2,234,951

PACKAGING MACHINE March 18,1941.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21. 1938 Invn'tor: Daniel. Belcher. I

lq ttor'neys.

March 18, 1941. o. BELCHER PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 21, 193a s Sheets-Sheet s 57/ 3m in Inventor-z DanieL BGLCHQI". 5w Paw/ fitter-megs.

atentecl Mar. 18 1941 PATENT OFFICE 2,234,951 PACKAGING MACHINE Daniel Belcher, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Bemls Bro. Bag 00., Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation Missouri Application April 21, 1938, Serial No. 203,336

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in packaging machines, and more particularly to machines adapted for packaging sugar, flour, and various other finely ground or d comminuted materials.

Empty paper bags, as now commonly made on bag making machinery, whether of the in-tucked or fiat type, usually have their walls folded into fiatwise relation to facilitate stacking and storage. In most instances,'the bottom of the bag is fiat and the bag walls are so folded that the bag bottom is disposed in a plane parallel to the plane of the flattened walls of the bag body.

Because of the bag bottoms being folded into M flatwise relation with respect to the walls-of the bag body, when the bag is to be filled, the walls and bottom thereof are usually expanded or at least, partially expanded by the operator before or while slipping the empty bag over the filling m tube to receive a charge. The bag bottom does not usually assume its normal position without aid from the operator, because of the inherent nature of the material which, in order to provide sufficient strength, has some degree of stiffness. an The operator then manually manipulates or taps the walls of the bag body with the hand or fingers, during the filling operation, to cause the bag walls and bottom to assume their normal positions so that the bag may receive its full charge, and

30 whereby the bag body will be properly shaped.

This necessitates the constant services of an oporator to watch each bag as it is fitted onto the filling tube to see that the walls and'bottom of each bag are expanded to their normal positions,

35 before the bag is completely filled. This requires additional labor and time, and decreases the output of the operator.

It is therefore desirable that means be provided in connection with a packaging machine,

to for positively expanding the walls and bottom of the bag body to their normal positions and shaping the bag body, before the bag receives its charge, so that when the emptybag has received 'a full charge of material, its body will be neatly 4g shaped and all of the filled bags will be substantially identically the same in appearance.

A feature of the present invention, therefore, is to provide in combination with a packaging machine, means for positively expanding and 50 shaping the walls and bottom of the bag body,

before a charge is delivered into the empty bag.

A further object is to provide a packaging machine comprising a pair of relatively movable elements adapted to be received in the mouth 01' 55 an empty bag, and having means for normally retaining them in retracted position, whereby an empty bag may readily be slipped or fitted thereover, after which they are released and permitted to engage the walls of the bag mouthwith sufflcient tension to support the bag thereon, while 5 pressure is introduced into the empty body of the bag to expand the walls and bottom thereof to their normal positions before the bag is filled.

A further object is to provide mean for expanding the walls and bottom of an empty bag and shaping the bag body by air pressure, prior to filling the empty bag.

Other objects and features of the invention reside in the novel construction of the means for supporting the empty bag while expanding the walls and bottom thereof by air pressure; in the construction of the means for automatically releasing the, bag from it supporting means, after it has received a predetermined charge of material; in the novel means for retaining the bag supporting means in inoperative or contracted position, whereby an emptybag may readily be fitted thereover, and which retaining means is provided with aconveniently located release lever adapted to be engaged by the operators hand, in the operation of slipping the bag onto the bag supporting elements or jaws, whereby said retaining means is rendered inoperative to permit the bag supporting means to move into operative engagement with the walls of the bag mouth with suilicient tension to frictionally support the bag thereon; in the novel means provided for introducing a blast of air into the empty bag, thereby to expand its walls and bottom and shape the bag body before the empty bag receives a charge; and, in the novel construction and arrangement of the various parts of the mechanism, which are extremely simple andinexpensive, and results in the production ofan apparatus of the character disclosed, which requires but a single operator to feed the empty bags thereto, and whereby the collapsed walls and bottom of each bag are automatically expanded into their normal posi tions and the bag body shaped, before a charge is delivered into the empty bag.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a-view partially in section, showing the means for supporting the bags in inoperative and operative positions;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary detail view showing the trip lever operated to release the bag supporting elements;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 4, showing the means for introducing pressure in the empty bag to expand its walls, and also showing the driving mechanism for the rotary supporting member;

Figure 4 is a plan view of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is adetail sectional plan view on the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a sectional plan view on the line 1-1 of Figure 3;

Figur 8 is a detail sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 3, showing a portion of the driving means;

Figure 9 is a detail sectional view on the line 9-9 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the normal condition of the bag walls before they are expanded; and

Figure 11 is a view showing an air control means of modified construction.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed is shown comprising a main supporting structure, including upper and lower spider-like frame members 2 and 3, secured together in vertically spaced relation by a plurality of rods 4, 5, and 6, as best shown in Figures 3 and 7.

A tubular supporting member 1 is shown mounted on the upper frame member 2 and has two or more legs 8 whose lower ends are seated upon the frame member 2 and suitably secured thereto by such means as bolts 9. A hollow shaft II is rotatably mounted within the tubular supporting member 1 and has secured to its upper end, an annular or ring-like member I2, shown in Figures 3 and 4. A suitable thrust bearing 13 is preferably interposed between the hub H of the annular member l2 and the upper end of the tubular support 1, to carry the weight of the hollow shaft l l and member 12.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the means provided for expanding the walls and bottom of the empty bags by air pressure, prior tofilling the bag. To thus expand the walls of the empty bag, means is provided on the annular member I 2 for supporting the bag while introducing a blast of air therein of sulficient force to expand the walls and bottom thereof and, at the same time, shaping the bag body.

The means provided for thus supporting the empty 'bags on the annular member I2, is shown comprising an element 15 having its upper end suitably secured to the member I2 by such means as bolts 20. The element 15 is substantially U- shaped in cross section, as best shown in Figure 5, .and its upper end is open and adapted to register with an opening l6 provided in the annular member l2, as best shown in Figure 9.

A complemental element [1 is pivoted at H! to the member I5. The member .I1 is also substantially U-shaped in cross section and is preferably slightly smaller than the element l5, whereby its side walls may be received between the corresponding side walls of the member I 5, whereby said elements cooperate to provide a hollow structure, as clearly illustrated in Figure 5.

The element I1 is shown provided with an inwardly extending arm 19 having a shouldered stud 2!, upon which is mounted a suitable roller 22. A spring 23 is shown having one end connected to the upper end of the stud 2| and its opposite end to a rod 24, supported in spaced flanges 25, which may be integrally formed with the cross arms 26 of the annular member 2. The spring 23 constantly urges the pivoted element IT in an inward direction, or into bag supporting position, as will readily be understood. A suitable stop, not shown, may be provided for limiting the inward movement of the element 11.

The means for supplying air to the bag is best shown in Figure 3, and comprises a suitable fitting 21 supported by an arm 28, shown adjustably secured to the upper end of the rod 4 by an adjusting screw 29. The fitting 21 is shown having a flange 3| at its lower end, to which may be secured a suitable packing or gasket 32 adapted to engage the upper finished surface of the annular member H2 in substantially leak-proof relation. One end of a suitable air supply conduit 33 is connected to the fitting 21. The opposite end of the conduit 33 may be connected to a suitable blower 34 driven by a motor 35, shown supported on the lower member 3 of the main frame of the apparatus. When the blower 34 is operated, air will be delivered into the conduit 33, and when the fitting 21 registers with the opening I6 in the annular member I2, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 9, a blast of air will be introduced into the empty bag 30, supported on the elements l5 and I1, whereby the bag walls are expanded, as shown in Figure 3 in dotted lines.

As best shown in Figure 4, the apparatus may comprise a plurality of stations, A, B, C and D, in which A represents the feeding station, where an operator slips the empty bags onto the bag supporting elements l5 and I1; B the bagexpanding station or location, where a blast of air may be introduced into each empty bag; C the filling station where a predetermined charge of material is delivered into each bag; and D the unloading or delivery station, where the filled bags are discharged onto a suitable receiving means, such as a table or conveyer, generally indicated by the numeral 36.

The'pivoted element l1 must be swung into or towards the member I5, as shown in Figure 1, before an empty bag can be fitted over the lower ends of the members l5 and 11. Means is therefore provided for holding the member l1 in the position shown in Figure 3, while the operator at station A feeds or slips an empty bag over the lower ends of the elements l5 and 11.

The means provided for thus retaining or looking the element l1 in inoperative position, is best shown in Figures 1 and 2 and comprises a dog 31 mounted on a pivot 38 and having one end adapted to engage a projection 39 on the element 11, thereby to lock said element in the position shown in Figure 2. The dog 31- has a suitable spring 4|! normally holding it in the position shown in Figures 1 and 3. The opposite end portion ll of the dog 31 is positioned to be engaged by a finger 42 secured to a small shaft, 43, shown rotatably secured to the ends of the shaft 43 and are normally engaged with the ends of the rod 24, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 6. When the B of the main frame.

- Figure 4, whereby it is adapted for vertical adabove the described parts are in the positions shown 'at the right hand side of Figure}, it will be noted that the dog 31 is lockingly engaged with the projection 39, whereby the element I! is locked in retracted position. This is the position assumed by the elements l5 and il, when they reach station A.

The operator then grasps an empty bag, such as shown in Figure 10,.and opens the mouth or top thereof sufliciently to permit it to be slipped over the lower end of the elements l5 and I1, and into engagement with a, horizontal flange shown provided on the fixed element l5. The flange 45 merely servesto limit the upward movement of the empty bag on the elements l5 and Il. As the operator slips the bag upwardly onto the elements i5 and I1, he will actuate one of the trip levers 44 and move it upwardly to the position shown in Figure 2, whereby the dog 31 is moved out of locking engagement with the projection 39. When the dog 31 is thus disengaged from the projection 39, the spring 23 will swing" the pivoted element II into its operative position shown in Figures '1, 2, and 3, whereby the bag mouth is expanded and the bag frictionally held on the members l5 and H by the tension exerted on the pivoted member H by the spring 23. The annular member i2 is then ro tated a portion of a revolution whereby the empty bag which has just been placed on the elements l5 and il, will come to rest at station B. In the next operation of the member i2, the openings i5 thereof, which is positioned at station B in Figure 4, and beneath which a bag is suspended, will pass beneath the fitting 21, whereby it will momentarily communicate therewith. Such communication between the fitting 21 and opening 16 will. cause a blast of air to be introduced into the empty bag, whereby its walls and bottom are expanded before the bag comes to rest at station C. By locating the fitting 21 between stations B and C, the flange 3| thereof will cooperate with the opening it in the member i2' to provide, in effect, a valve which is momentarily opened, for each movement of the member I2, thereby to introduce air, under pressure, into each bag as it passes from station B to station C.

At station C each bag receives a predetermined charge of material from a suitable hopper 48, shown supported over the annular member l2 by a bracket 41 secured to the upper end of the rod The hopper 46 is in communication with a suitable weighing mechanism, not shown, by means of a conduit 48, partially shown in Figure 1. The lower end of the hopper is shown having a flange 49 to which is secured a suitable packing or gasket 5|, which serves to seal the joint between the lower end of the hopper and the upper surface of the annular memher [2 in a manner similar to the fitting 21.

In some instances,'it might be found desirable to provide a suitable table or support 50 beressure, however, will avoid this. The table may be supported on the, rod 5, as shown in justment.

Means is provided for contracting or moving the pivoted element II from its operative posi- --tion, shown at the right hand side of Figure 1,

er 22 of the pivoted member. ll, as shown in Figure 3, whereby the member I1 is moved outwardly against the tension of the spring 23 until the spring 40 of the dog 31 swings said dog into locking engagement with the projection 39 of the element ll, as shown in Figurel. The cam 52 is so arranged with respect to station D, that when the filled bag, shown at the right hand side of Figure 1, reaches a certain position over the conveyor 36, the roller 22 will engage the cam 52 and thereby actuate the member H to release the bag, whereby the latter drops by gravity onto a bag onto the conveyer 35, are'returned to station A, the pivoted member II will be locked in the position, shown at the left hand side of Figure 1, whereby the operator may readily feed or slip another empty bag onto the lower ends of the members i 5-and ll, as shown in Figure l. The operator will, as previously stated, release the pivoted member I! by upwardly swinging one or both of the trip arms 44, in the operation of feeding the bag onto the elements i5 and I1, whereby'the element I1 is swung into engagement with the bag walls, as shown in Figure 2, by the action of the spring 23, thereby to frictionally support the empty bag thereon.

The means provided for operating the annular member I2 is best shown in Figures 3 and 8, and comprises a suitable drive shaft 53, shown axially mounted in the main frame of the apparatus in suitable bearings provided in the frame members 2 and 3. The shaft 53 is shown extending upwardly through the tubular supporting memher I, and may have its upper end connected to and operating ,a mechanism (not shown) for supplying material to the hopper ,and whereby the mechanisms will operate in timed relaition relatively to one another. The shaft 53 is adapted to be constantly rotated by the motor 35, which preferably is provided with a suitable speed reducer 54 having a shaft 55 to which is secured a suitable sprocket 56. A chain 5! cperatively connects the sprocket 56 to a sprocket wheel 53 secured to a shaft 59 mounted in suit- 3 able bearings 5| and 52, shown secured tonne of the radial arms of the lower frame member 3.

A bevel pinion 83 is shown secured to one end of the shaft 59 and meshes with a similar pinion 34 secured to the drive shaft 53.

A gear wheel is keyed to the shaft 53, above the frame member 2, and is shown meshing with a gear 93 mounted on a stud 61. The gear 68 carries a crank pin 33 which is received in a slot 59 provided in an arm ll mounted for pivotal movement upon a suitable stud 12 secured to the frame member 2.

The arm 1|is shown provided with a gear segment 13 which meshes with a gear segment 14 having a hub 15 loosely or rotatably supported upon the vertical drive shaft 53. The hub of the s ar segment 14 is shown provided with warm 16 which carries a spring-actuated dog 11 adapted to engage a ratchet 18. secured to the tubular shaft ll below the lower end of the hollow support 1, as shown. in Figure 3.

In the apparatus, as herein disclosed, four stations are provided, and the annular member I2 is therefore rotated one-fourth of a revolution or 90 for each oscillation of the crank arm 1|. The ratchet 18 accordingly has four notches 19 in its periphery adapted to be engaged by the dog 11, as shown in Figure 8. The dog 11 is shown provided with a suitable spring 8| for constantly urging it into engagement with the periphery of the ratchet 18.

Toprevent over-running of the member l2, a suitable stop member 82 is shown pivotally supported on a lug v88 provided on the lower end of the hollow support I. The hub 84 of the stop member 82 is disposed above'the ratchet 18 and has a depending portion 85 adapted to be received in notches 88 provided in the periphery of the ratchet 18. A spring 81 is shown engaged with the opposite end portion 88 of the stop member 82 and constantly urges the end portion 85 thereof into engagement with the periphery of the ratchet 18.

By referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the end walls of the notches 86 in the Periphery of the ratchet 18 are substantially parallel, whereby the ratchet is locked against movement in either-direction, when the depending end portion 85 of the stop member 82 is positioned in one of the slots 86. It is therefore necessary that means be provided for positively moving the end portion 85 out of the slot 88 in which it may be received, before the ratchet can be rotated I by the dog 11 on the arm 16. The means provided for thus moving the end portion 85 of the the end portion 85 out of engagement with the notch 86 of the ratchet just before the dog 11 engages the next notch 19 in the ratchet, to impart rotary movement to the member l2.

In Figure 11, there is shown a valve mechanism which may be used for controlling the supply of air to the bag at station B, or at any other location between stations A and C. In the. form here shown, a butterfly valve 9| is shown provided within the fitting 92 which corresponds to the fitting 21, shown in Figure 3. The shaft 93 which supports the butterfly valve 9| is shown provided with an arm 94 adapted to be engaged by pins 95 carried on the annular member l2. The hub of the arm 94 is shown provided with an upwardly extending arm 96, to whichone end of a suitable spring 91 is secured. The opposite end of this spring is shown fixed to a lug 98 on the fitting 92, whereby the upper arm 98 is normally held against the stop pin 99, thereby to retain the valve 9| closed.

The valve Si is opened when the pin 95 carried bythe rotary member l2 engages it and swings said arm from the full to the dotted line position, shown in Figure 11. The pin 95 is so positioned with respect to the arm 94 of the butterfly valve,

that when the annular member l2 comes to rest in the position shown in Figure-4, the pin 95 will move out of engagement with the arm 94 and thereby permit the buterfly valve to close by the action of the spring 91.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed has proven very eflicient in operation. It requires but one operator. This operator is stationed at station A, and merely feeds or slips the empty bags onto the lower ends of the bag supporting elements l5 and I1, each time the annular member l2 comes to rest. In the present'instance, four sets of bag supporting elements I5 and I1 are shown provided on the annular member l2, and four bags are therefore expanded or opened for each revolution thereof.

The invention is shown embodied in the construction of a bag filling machine, whereby a complete packaging machine or apparatus is provided which expands the empty bags, fills the bags, and discharges the filled bagsonto a suitable receiving conveyer. The operation of the apparatus requires but a. single operator whose duty it is to slip the empty bags over the bag supporting elements l5 and 11. All of the other operations required to expand or open the empty bags by air pressure, filling the bags, and discharging the filled bags onto the conveyer 36, are accomplished automatically.

It will also be noted that, as shown in the drawings, the annular member I2 is adapted for intermittent operation. It is to be understood that, in some instances,- it may be found more desirable to operate the member l2 at a continuous speed, and I the'refore do not wish to be limited to an intermittently operable apparatus.

The particular location 'of the air supply means or fitting 21 may also be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, in some installations, it may be found more desirable to locate the fitting 21 adjacent to or at station A, and so arrange it that each time a bag is slipped onto the elements I5 and I1 at station A, a blast of air is introduced into the bag to expand its walls.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the class described, a movable member having an opening therein, an element fixed .to and depending from said member and having its lower end portion adapted to be received in the mouth of an empty bag, a complemental element mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed element and having its lower portion adapted to bereceived in the mouth of the bag and cooperating with said fixed element to provide a filling spout adapted to support a has. said spout being in communication with said opening, a conduit connected with a supply of air'under pressure and having its discharge end normally closed by said movable member, and means for operating said member whereby when the opening therein passes the air supply conduit, a blast of air is directed into the bag supported on said elements, thereby to expand the walls and bottom of the bag and shape its body.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, a movable member, an element fixed to said member and depending therefrom, a complemental element mounted for pivotal movement adjacent to said fixed element, the lower portions of said elements being adapted to be received in the mouth ofan empty bag and cooperating to frictionally support the bag, when said elements are expanded, means for retaining said elements in retracted position to permit an empty bag to be fitted over the lower ends thereof, manually operable means for releasing said retaining means whereby said members may expand into frictional engagement with the walls of the bag mouth, thereby to frictionally support the empty bag on the lower ends thereof, pneumatic means for ex panding the walls and bottom of the empty bag while supported on said elements, and means for automatically contracting said elements to release the bag therefrom.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, a member mounted for rotary movement and having an opening therein, an element fixed to said member and substantially U-shaped in cross section, and a second element mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said fixed element and also substantially U-shaped in cross section, one of said elements being relatively smaller than the other, whereby portions of its walls may overlap portions of the walls of the other element, thereby to provide a filling spout, said filling spout being in communication with said opening, means whereby said pivoted element may be swung towards said fixed element to contract the filling spout, means for retaining said elements in contracted position to permit an operator to slip or feed an empty bag overthe lower ends thereof, means whereby said retaining means may be rendered inoperative when an empty bag is fitted onto said elements, thereby to permit them to move into engagement with the walls of the bag mouth to support the bag thereon, and an air supply conduit having its discharge end normally closed by said rotary member and adapted to be momentarily opened, when the opening in said member passes the discharge end of the conduit. whereby a blast of air is introduced in the bag to expand it.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, an annular member mounted for rotary movement,

a plurality of elements fixed thereto and depending from said member, a complemental element pivotally mounted adjacent to each fixed element, means constantly tending to'swing said pivoted elements outwardly into bag supporting positions means for locking said pivoted elements in contracted positions, whereby an operator mayreadily slip an empty bag over the lower ends thereof, a release for each locking means adapted to be engaged by the operators hand, when slipping a termined charge of material into the bag whiie supported on said elements, and cam means for operating said pivoted elements to successively release the filled bags therefrom, and whereby the locking means of said pivoted elements are rendered operative to retain the pivoted elements in bag receiving positions.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, an annular member mounted for rotary movement, a plurality of pairs of bag supporting elements depending therefrom, and the elements of each pair being movable relatively to one another, whereby they may be contracted to permit the mouth 'of an empty bag to be fitted over their lower end portions, means for expanding said elements into frictional engagement with the walls of the bag mouth, thereby to support the bag thereon, a plurality of stations, means for retaining said elements in contracted positions, whereby an operator at one of said stations may readily slip an empty bag over the lower ends thereof, means adapted to be actuated by the operator to release said retaining means, when slipping an empty bag onto said elements, whereby said elements are moved into frictional engagement with the walls of the bag mouth to support the bag thereon, means at another station for introducing pressure in the empty bag to expand its walls and bottom, means at another station for delivering a predetermined charge of material into each bag as it passes thereby, and means for subsequently actuating said elements to release the filled bag, and whereby said elements are positioned to receive another empty bag.

DANIEL BELCHER. 

